Änderungen, Vorschläge etc...... » s. Sabathia is 51-41 in 123 c

Drop back. Throw long. Repeat.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was flinging the ball far downfield Thursday during a voluntary offseason training practice Tarik Cohen Jersey , targeting an array of receivers that includes newcomers Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead.

"Someone kind of joked that we completed more deep balls in practice today when we did the whole offseason last year," coach John Harbaugh said.

The Ravens' top priority this season was to vastly improve a passing attack that last season ranked 29th in total yardage and was dead last with 5.7 yards per attempt.

General manager Ozzie Newsome dumped Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin and Michael Campanaro, signed the aforementioned trio of free agents and drafted two wide receivers.

Chris Moore and Breshad Perriman are the only two of 13 receivers on the roster who caught a pass for Baltimore last season. Whether it's a change for the better remains to be seen.

"Obviously, we've got to do our job 鈥?catch the ball, catch touchdowns, first downs and all that," Crabtree said. "I'm confident in the guys we have. We've got some football players here."

Crabtree has five career TD catches of at least 40 yards; Snead will fit nicely in the slot; and Brown in 2015 had a 1 Andy Dalton Jersey ,003-yard, seven-touchdown season with Arizona.

Forget the check-down pass, because the Ravens are looking to go long in 2018.

"Joe's known for throwing the deep ball, and I think we'll hit a lot of those," Brown said.

Flacco is the starter, but backups Robert Griffin III, Lamar Jackson and Josh Woodrum will keep the receivers busy downfield this summer.

"Every one of our quarterbacks has a reputation for throwing the ball deep," Harbaugh said. "I feel like that's got to be a big part of who we are. We want to throw it out there, and go get it."

That was the Ravens were looking for from Perriman when they drafted him in the first round of 2015. Perriman has thus far been a huge disappointment Brian Allen Jersey , but the hope is that this is the year he finally fulfills his potential.

"He's in great shape. He's playing very fast," Harbaugh said. "Not just that 鈥?he's catching the ball really well. He looks much smoother, and he's getting in and out of routes quicker. He's taken a step in the right direction. I know he's determined to carry that right through training camp."

Crabtree, 30, has become the leader of the pack simply because of his age and experience.

"I don't have a choice. I'm going on 10 (years) in the game," he said. "That's just my role. At the same time, I'm out there competing like I'm 21. I'm going to have fun with it."

Crabtree had 58 catches with Oakland last season, down from 89 in 2016. Snead started the 2017 season in New Orleans with a three-game DUI suspension and fought through a hamstring injury. Brown is looking to regain the form he showed in 2015.

All three hope the move to Baltimore will bring about a return to stardom.

"We've all had our ups and downs," Brown said. "It just feels good to have a new start and keep things rolling."

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

STEPPING AWAY

The Chase Utley retirement tour is underway. Utley announced Friday that he will retire at the end of the season Johnny Hekker Jersey , capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder statesman role with the Dodgers. The six-time All-Star said he’s leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons. Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference at Dodger Stadium, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small room. Utley has 259 career homers with a .276 average and 1,880 hits, though he’ll likely get some Hall of Fame support from voters inclined toward advanced analytics.

WELCOME BACK

Jon Gray is set to return from Triple-A and start for Colorado against Seattle. Gray was expected to be the Rockies‘ ace, but he’s been hit hard this season, going 7-7 with a 5.77 ERA before being demoted to work on mechanics and clear his head at Albuquerque. Gray will face emerging left-hander Wade LeBlanc (5-0, 3.39), who is having a breakout season at 33 years old.

NOLA’S STAR

Phillies righty Aaron Nola (12-2, 2.27) will make his last start before possibly starting next week’s All-Star Game when Philadelphia visits Miami. Nola ranks third in the NL in ERA Pernell McPhee Jersey , and the timing of his start Saturday could make him the best option for NL manager Dave Roberts in next Tuesday’s All-Star showdown. It will be Nola’s first All-Star appearance.

COLE RETURN

Houston starter Gerrit Cole will come off the bereavement list when the Astros host Detroit. Cole (9-2) was placed on the list Tuesday following the death of his grandmother, a day after throwing six scoreless innings in a loss to Oakland. In his first season with Houston following an offseason trade from Pittsburgh, Cole is sixth in the AL in ERA (2.57) and second in strikeouts (169).

HAMMY WHAMMY

The NL Central-leading Brewers are hoping for good news on slugger Eric Thames a day after he left a game with a tight right hamstring. Thames was making a rare start in right field and was injured while playing a ball hit into the corner. Milwaukee has asked Thames recently to handle more outfield duties to make space for All-Star Jesus Aguilar at first base, but now the Brewers may be without their hulking leadoff hitter, who is batting .250 with 13 homers and a .344 on-base percentage. Milwaukee has a doubleheader scheduled against Pittsburgh.

CC IN CLEVELAND

CC Sabathia pitches at Progressive Field as the Yankees and Indians continue a four-game series. Sabathia is 51-41 in 123 career starts at the stadium, including during his run as Cleveland’s ace from 2001-08. The Indians will counter with Mike Clevinger (7-4, 3.34) as they try to stretch their AL Central lead heading into the All-Star break.

VOTH’S TURN

Nationals right-hander Austin Voth has been promoted to the majors four times this season, only to be sent back down the first three times without making an appearance. Voth is expected to finally make his debut in a start again the Mets. Voth has gone 4-5 with a 3.55 ERA in 15 starts this season for Triple-A Syracuse.

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